Black Tie with Kilt Etiquette - Ladies edition

**sarakirsch** · 8th December 20, 07:40 PM

Hi All! Newbie to tartan etiquette here.

I've been invited to an event in Scotland for next year and one of the dinners has been labeled Black Tie with Kilts (for the guys) for the dress code. I've got a good idea of what normally Black Tie for ladies would constitute, so here's my question:

Would it be inappropriate for me to show in a hostess-length tartan skirt, appropriate top, heels and matching sash? Or would it be more appropriate to wear a modern evening gown with a tartan sash?

While the event will be at a large castle estate and very formal, it's doubtful that any sort of royalty would be there, although you never know.

Thank you!

**lschwartz** · 8th December 20, 10:04 PM

I would ask the people who are sponsoring/hosting the dinner what women would wear for "black tie". It may not include any tartan at all.

**figheadair** · 8th December 20, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by lschwartz

I would ask the people who are sponsoring/hosting the dinner what women would wear for "black tie". It may not include any tartan at all.

That's sound advice and certainly should be your starting point. Can you tell us a little more about the event, we may then be able to offer better advice? Things to consider:

1. Format- - just Dinner or will there be Dancing?

2. Size of the event (number of people)?

3. Most senior guest(s)?

4. Is this a one off or a regular/more frequent event? If the latter, are there pictures available anywhere that show what ladies wear?

Having attended my fair share of Black-Tie events in Scotland, both military and civilian, I cannot think of one where a lady wore a long tartan skirt, although there may have been someone I missed. This style of long kilt skirt was fashionable 40+ years ago but much less so nowadays.
I would certainly avoid wearing one with a sash here.

Whether to wear a sash or more will depend on the type of event. They are worn by some at Balls but not usually for a Dinner. If you want to wear tartan then consider something more like a tartan favour - a case of less is more.

**Jock Scot** · 9th December 20, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

That's sound advice and certainly should be your starting point. Can you tell us a little more about the event, we may then be able to offer better advice? Things to consider:

1. Format- - just Dinner or will there be Dancing?

2. Size of the event (number of people)?

3. Most senior guest(s)?

4. Is this a one off or a regular/more frequent event? If the latter, are there pictures available anywhere that show what ladies wear?

Having attended my fair share of Black-Tie events in Scotland, both military and civilian, I cannot think of one where a lady wore a long tartan skirt, although there may have been someone I missed. This style of long kilt skirt was fashionable 40+ years ago but much less so nowadays.
I would certainly avoid wearing one with a sash here.

Whether to wear a sash or more will depend on the type of event. They are worn by some at Balls but not usually for a Dinner. If you want to wear tartan then consider something more like a tartan favour - a case of less is more.

Sound advice here. Do your research, but Peter is bang on in my view.

**sarakirsch** · 9th December 20, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

That's sound advice and certainly should be your starting point. Can you tell us a little more about the event, we may then be able to offer better advice? Things to consider:

1. Format- - just Dinner or will there be Dancing?

2. Size of the event (number of people)?

3. Most senior guest(s)?

4. Is this a one off or a regular/more frequent event? If the latter, are there pictures available anywhere that show what ladies wear?

Having attended my fair share of Black-Tie events in Scotland, both military and civilian, I cannot think of one where a lady wore a long tartan skirt, although there may have been someone I missed. This style of long kilt skirt was fashionable 40+ years ago but much less so nowadays.
I would certainly avoid wearing one with a sash here.

Whether to wear a sash or more will depend on the type of event. They are worn by some at Balls but not usually for a Dinner. If you want to wear tartan then consider something more like a tartan favour - a case of less is more.

I will definitely have to reach out and ask them. I know there's no dancing - just dinner, but the other questions I'm clueless on...which is why I started here!

Very good points to ask.

I also know there aren't any photos of past events (not allowed by the host) but I will definitely reach out to the host/hostess for advice since I'm an uneducated American. LOL